Stewart double gets Fire burning ahead of NPL

FOOTBALL: Sunshine Coast Fire coach Paul Arnison says his boys are building in confidence ahead of the National Premier Leagues Queensland season following Saturday's decisive 4-1 win over Magic United on the Gold Coast.

The Fire has recruited well in the off-season, including British duo Connor Hancock and Glody Ntumba.

But it was former Sunshine Coast Men's Premier League star Jeremy Stewart who had Arnison most excited.

The striker was head-hunted by the mentor for his scoring ability, after bagging 22 goals from 19 outings in the regular season for Kawana last season.

He also claimed a hat trick in the Force's grand final win over Woombye.

The 22-year-old scored two goals on Saturday night and has Arnison confident he could be the Fire's x-factor in 2016.

"Jeremy Stewart scored two but missed a few and could have easily ended up with five or six," Arnison said.

"He was very good for us and a lot of the boys played well.

"We could have won by 10 and they scored right at the end after a penalty."

Arnison said his side's ability to create chances was obvious against the local Gold Coast side but they would need better execution if they were to trouble NPL teams ahead of their opening match against the Western Pride on February 27.

"We will have to make the most of those chances against an NPL team but we are getting things right," he said.

"We defended very nicely and so it was good to get the first win of the pre-season under our belts."

The Fire drew 2-2 with Sunshine Coast Men's Premier League premier Woombye in last Wednesday's trial.

Arnison said the result did not worry him too much.

"We missed a few chances but I told them to keep concentrating on those areas and they are getting closer," he said.

"Local sides are always looking to put one on the Fire and that result doesn't matter too much.

"As long as they do their best, that's all I ask for."

The Fire hopes to play a final pre-season match against Beegees on Saturday night. "The Beegees have some good players so that will be a good test for us," Arnison said.